Introduction

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls bring a festive twist to a classic favorite with colorful sprinkles baked right into the dough. Soft, fluffy, and topped with creamy frosting and extra sprinkles, they’re perfect for celebrations or a fun weekend treat.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

½ cup warm water (about 110°F)
½ cup whole milk (room temperature)
2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup confetti sprinkles
⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt (for filling)
4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature, for frosting)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Pinch kosher salt (for frosting)
Additional confetti sprinkles, to garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Sprinkle yeast over the warm water and milk in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir to combine. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until the mixture bubbles and activates.
Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the yeast mixture, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk. In a separate bowl, whisk salt into the flour. Add 2 cups of the flour mixture to the mixer bowl and use the dough hook to combine.
Step 3: Gradually add another cup of flour while kneading on low speed. Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Then add the remaining cup of flour and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl’s sides.
Step 4: Fold in the confetti sprinkles evenly. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
Step 5: Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle. Spread ⅓ cup of softened butter evenly over the dough.
Step 6: In a bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough, gently pressing it in.
Step 7: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 185°F. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 9: For the frosting, beat cream cheese and ¼ cup butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, beating until thick and creamy. Spread frosting on warm rolls and garnish with extra confetti sprinkles.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature ingredients for better yeast activation and dough consistency.
Swap confetti sprinkles for chocolate chips or nuts for a different twist.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until smooth.
For extra fluffiness, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot covered with a clean towel.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Skip the activation step in water and milk, and mix it directly with the dry ingredients. You might need to adjust rising times slightly.

How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color during baking?

Use high-quality confetti sprinkles made specifically for baking, as they are less likely to bleed. Also, avoid smearing or pressing sprinkles too hard into the dough before baking.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 214 reviews

Delightfully festive Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls featuring a soft, fluffy dough studded with colorful confetti sprinkles, swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling, crowned with creamy cream cheese frosting, and topped with extra sprinkles for a fun, vibrant treat perfect for celebrations or a cheerful breakfast.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

½ cup warm water (about 110°F)
½ cup whole milk (room temperature)
2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup confetti sprinkles

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cup powdered sugar
Pinch kosher salt
Additional confetti sprinkles (to garnish)

Instructions

Activate Yeast: Sprinkle the dry active yeast over the warm water and milk mixture. Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and stir lightly. Let the mixture sit for 5-7 minutes until it becomes bubbly and shows signs of activation.
Mix Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the activated yeast mixture, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk. In a separate bowl, whisk the kosher salt into the flour. Add 2 cups of flour to the wet ingredients and begin mixing using the dough hook attachment on low speed. Gradually add another 1 cup of flour, continue kneading while adding the softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Once butter is incorporated, add the remaining cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and clings away from the sides of the bowl. Fold in the confetti sprinkles evenly into the dough.
First Rise: Transfer the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for approximately 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Prepare for Filling: Gently punch down the risen dough to release excess gas. Transfer it onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle. Spread ⅓ cup of softened butter evenly across the surface of the dough.
Make & Add Filling: Mix together granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt in a bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough and gently press it in to adhere.
Form Rolls: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal portions. Place the rolls cut-side up into a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise again at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake the cinnamon rolls for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the internal temperature reaches 185°F. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Prepare Frosting & Serve: Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, then beat until the frosting is smooth and thick. Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Garnish with additional confetti sprinkles as desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Ensure that the water and milk used to activate the yeast are warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
Confetti sprinkles are best folded into the dough gently to prevent color bleed.
Check the internal temperature of the rolls with a thermometer to guarantee perfect doneness.
For best results, use room temperature ingredients to help with dough consistency.
These rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
Reheat gently in the microwave before serving to restore softness.

Keywords: funfetti cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls with sprinkles, fun birthday breakfast, festive cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting cinnamon rolls